Austin Dillon expressed satisfaction with his controversial victory at Richmond, where he collided with both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to clinch a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Despite the backlash from both drivers, Dillon referred to the win as “emotional” for himself, his team, and his family during an exclusive interview on FOX Sports with Kevin Harvick.
Dillon acknowledged the challenges his team has faced this season under Richard Childress Racing, emphasizing the support they’ve received. “It’s been tough, and they’ve stuck with me,” Dillon said. “You don’t want to win like that every week, but when given the opportunity, you’ve got to do it for those people.”
The climax of the race occurred as Dillon, in second place, bumped Logano, leading to a spin that allowed Dillon to take the lead. Hamlin attempted to sprint past Dillon but was clipped, which secured the win for Dillon.
Reflecting on the race, Dillon explained, “It was like, whatever it takes to get [Logano] up the track.” He admitted to making a split-second decision in the heat of the moment.
The aftermath was tense, particularly for Logano and Hamlin. Hamlin voiced frustration towards both Dillon and NASCAR’s playoff system, suggesting it encourages such aggressive tactics, while Logano confronted Dillon’s team directly, even spinning his tires near Dillon’s family.
Dillon noted, “I get it you’ve got to be mad and upset. But do it in, like, an interview or talk to me about it.” He seemed more reserved regarding Hamlin’s comments but took offense at Logano’s criticisms, which included harsh words about Dillon’s past performance.
Dillon remarked, “He threw some low blows… but the two guys that I got into it with have done that a lot.” He acknowledged that aggressive moves are part of the racing culture, stating, “Sometimes, it happens.”
If Logano chooses to retaliate on the track, Dillon indicated he would be prepared, noting, “If he retaliates, he retaliates. My grandfather said, ‘You might kick a dog, but he’ll bite back.’”
Dillon is anticipated to receive disciplinary action midweek, possibly as early as Tuesday, with discussions around penalties including potential fines. The possibility of NASCAR nullifying his win remains uncertain, as such actions are unusual after several days of review.